Red, White, And Sushi: The Journey of Sushi in the United States from 1893-1960s

Abstract

This thesis investigated the journey of sushi in the United States before the 1960s, which is when previous examinations of sushi claim that it made its first appearance in the United States. This study traced sushi’s expansion in the continental United States and the overlooked then-United States territory of Hawaii. After careful investigation, this research illustrates that sushi had been in the United States for more than sixty years before the popular narrative. Proof of this was accomplished by combing through newspaper articles in decades prior to the 1960s that provided recipes on how to prepare sushi and by examining advertisements for restaurants, carnivals, and school functions that offered sushi for purchase at these places. Cookbooks and menus before the 1960s were also inspected for mentions of sushi. My research revealed that as the years got closer to the 1960s, sushi became more and more prevalent in the U.S. media and became a topic of notoriety. However, it is clear from my research that sushi was present in American cuisine well before the 1960s.